Zyprexa Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that often manifests in disabling symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Patients may also experience difficulty in understanding information and making decisions. Symptoms usually start in late teens to young adulthood.

Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. Moods range from extremely elevated to depressive. Also known as manic-depressive illness, this condition often involves changes in sleep pattern and unusual behavior.

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, and unspecified bipolar disorder.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that manifests in feelings of tiredness, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. People usually have trouble carrying out everyday activities and may feel like life is not worth living. Depression may require long-term treatment involving medications and psychotherapy.

Zyprexa Active Ingredient

Generic Zyprexa Alternative: Zyprexa

Zyprexa contains the active ingredient olanzapine, which belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These newer medications are less likely to produce some of the negative side effects associated with the first generation of antipsychotics, also known as typical antipsychotics.

Zyprexa General Information

What is Zyprexa and What Is It Used For?

Zyprexa is prescribed to patients who suffer from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It contains the active ingredient olanzapine which helps decrease hallucinations. Many patients discover they are able to think more clearly, feel calmer, and have a more positive outlook on life.

Zyprexa may also be used in combination with other medication in patients with depression.

Usage and Application

Zyprexa should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage depends on the patient’s condition, age, and response to treatment.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose. To reduce the risk of side effects, some patients are asked to start the medication at a lower dose, increasing it gradually. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.

It is necessary to use Zyprexa regularly in order to experience its full benefit. To prevent forgetting, patients are advised to take this medication at the same time each day. Patients should continue taking Zyprexa even if they feel well. Stopping this medication must happen only under the guidance of the treating physician.

Patients should notify their doctor in the event their condition worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Zyprexa

Before starting treatment patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Zyprexa.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially heart disease, liver disease, low white blood cell count, dementia, or seizures. Patients should also report whether they smoke or have conditions like sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, urination issues, and stomach problems like an intestinal blockage or paralytic ileus.

Eye problems like narrow-angle glaucoma should also be reported, as well as a family or personal history of diabetes or high cholesterol.

Zyprexa may cause dizziness or drowsiness. While taking this medication, patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring alertness until the effects of the medication are known. Avoid alcoholic beverages and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

Some patients taking this medication may find that they sweat less. This increases the likelihood of heat stroke. On hot days, patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising or performing any other activities that may cause them to overheat. Using hot tubs should be avoided.

In the event of overheating, patients should take immediate steps to cool down and rest. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of serious overheating – mood changes, headache, or dizziness – persist.

Teenagers may be more sensitive to certain negative side effects of Zyprexa, especially weight gain. They are also more at risk of developing increased cholesterol, triglycerides, and prolactin levels.

Older adults taking Zyprexa are likely to be more sensitive to certain negative side effects, especially constipation, trouble urinating, and confusion. There is also an elevated risk of experiencing drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness, which increases the risk of falling.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of Zyprexa with their doctors. Untreated problems such as schizophrenia can be a serious condition, and patients should not stop the medication unless directed by their doctor.

In rare cases, babies born to mothers using this medication in the last trimester may develop symptoms such as muscle stiffness, shakiness, drowsiness, constant crying, feeding problems, or breathing difficulties. Parents should contact a physician right away if they notice such symptoms in their newborn.

Zyprexa passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on nursing infants. Mothers should consult their doctor before they begin breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Zyprexa should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Zyprexa

Drug interactions may change the way Zyprexa works and may increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss all medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications like the heartburn drug Reglan may negatively interact with Zyprexa.

Patients who smoke or take the anticonvulsant carbamazepine should inform their doctor as both affect the metabolism of Zyprexa and reduce concentrations of Zyprexa in the body.

Patients should also inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness, like opioid pain and cough relievers like codeine or hydrocodone. Alcohol or marijuana have the same effect, as do drugs for sleep and anxiety like alprazolam, lorazepam, and zolpidem.

Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine – as well as antihistamines like Zyrtec and Benadryl – may also cause drowsiness. Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that may cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Adverse Reactions

Most patients are able to use Zyprexa safely without serious side effects.

Some patients may experience drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. This increases the risk of falling, so patients should get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Dry mouth, upset stomach, constipation, increased appetite, and weight gain are additional common side effects.

It is important to inform the treating physician of serious side effects like difficulty swallowing or urinating, severe stomach pain, tremors, slow heartbeat, and fainting. Sleep apnea, numbness of the arms or legs, and yellowing skin or eyes should be reported immediately. Patients should also monitor for mental changes, such as confusion and restlessness.

In rare cases, Zyprexa may increase blood sugar levels, a concern for diabetic patients. Diabetic patients should check blood sugar regularly and may need to adjust their medication, exercise program, and diet. All patients should monitor for symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst and urination.

Some patients may experience significant weight gain and a rise in blood cholesterol and/or triglycerides. The risk is especially pronounced in teenagers. Coupled with pre-existing diabetes, this may increase the risk of heart disease.

In some patients, there is a rare possibility of developing tardive dyskinesia, which causes involuntary, repetitive body movements. In some cases, the condition may be permanent. Patients should notify their doctor in the event they notice any unusual movements, especially in the face, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs.

This medicine may increase levels of the hormone prolactin produced by the body. In women, this can lead to unwanted production of breast milk, irregular periods, or difficulty conceiving. Men may experience decreased sexual ability, enlarged breasts, or an inability to produce sperm. Patients should report these symptoms immediately to their doctor.

Patients who experience a seizure should seek immediate medical assistance.

Zyprexa may rarely cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a very serious and possibly life-threatening condition. Patients should seek immediate medical help if they experience sweating, fever, muscle stiffness, severe tiredness, and severe confusion. Additional NMS symptoms include irregular heartbeat, dark urine, and changes in the amount of urine.

Serious allergic reactions to Zyprexa are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Zyprexa

Zyprexa should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.